Analysis by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) shows that Dutch supermarkets have further increased their range of responsible seafood. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of fresh, frozen and canned seafood is certified by either ASC or the MSC, up from 70% last year.

The report found that fish was the category with the largest share of certified products.

The figures have been revealed by the latest State of the Market analysis by ASC and the MSC.

The two organisations, together with the largest supermarkets and seafood brands, have investigated Dutch seafood aisles for certified products for a second year.

The new report covers the year 2018 and two additional product categories were added to this year’s report: pet food and convenience.

The report found that the share of frozen seafood that is MSC and ASC certified is 94% (up from 91% last year), while the figure for fresh produce is 82% (the same as last year).

There was an increase in the portion of frozen shrimp that is ASC or MSC certified – 86%, up from 70% in the previous year. In addition, 97% of frozen salmon is either ASC or MSC certified (up from 85% last year).

The total value of certified food purchased by Dutch shoppers has doubled from 2014 to 2018.

These results are echoed by the separate annual analysis of certification in Dutch supermarkets by research agency IRI. Their research found that €229 million was spent on ASC certified seafood in 2018 – an increase of €28 million on the previous year.

97% of frozen salmon is either ASC or MSC certified.

The total value of certified food purchased by Dutch shoppers has doubled from just under €1.9 billion in 2014 to more than €4.1 billion in 2018 – with seafood leading the way.

IRI found that fish was the category with the largest share of certified products, at 70%.

“These results show that Dutch shoppers have more choice than ever when it comes to responsibly sourced seafood, and it’s especially promising to see so many options when it comes to popular species like shrimp and salmon,” said Maud van den Haspel, ASC Commercial Manager for The Netherlands.

“ASC will continue to work with suppliers and retailers to ensure that certified options keep expanding for consumers, helping to reward responsible producers and minimise the social and environmental impacts of the seafood we love.”

About the MSC

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an independent non-profit organization which sets a standard for sustainable fishing. Fisheries that wish to demonstrate they are well-managed and sustainable compared to the science-based MSC standard are assessed by a team of experts who are independent of both the fishery and the MSC. Seafood products can display the blue MSC ecolabel only if that seafood can be traced back through the supply chain to a fishery that has been certified against the MSC standard.

About the ASC

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is an independent, international non-profit organisation that manages the world’s leading certification and labelling programme for responsible aquaculture.